230 Permission (1/2)
Li felt Tia's hands tighten their grip around his neck. She was not comfortable in Sunstar's presence, and it showed. But Sunstar did not continue to direct his gaze at Li, instead, he turned his muscled neck to stare at lord Lys, knowing that the weak lord was a far safer option to antagonize. The lord shrunk into his seat, and that made the two heads worth of height difference between the two that much more evident.
”It seems that in the city of Riviera, state secrets flow free like wine at a tavern,” said Sunstar to Lys. The lord opened his mouth like a fish gasping on land, but now words came out. Sweat began to form on his forehead as his skin turned several shades whiter.
”Now, now, there is no need for this discord,” said the duchess pleasantly. ”Especially when we are on the eve of battle. Come, Sunstar, you must understand the easterner's position. He is beholden to a god and people we are not familiar with. It would be unbecoming of us to force our wills upon him.”
With her words, any sign of discontent in Sunstar disappeared, and seeing this, she continued to Li.
”I am grateful that you have chosen to aid the people of Soleil, and I will treat you and your followers as a fully sovereign force. There will be no issues with this. After all, I have afforded the crown prince of Enna the very same privileges.”
”Enna is a vassal state, your highness,” said Sunstar. ”The crown prince brings his army of Ennans knowing where his allegiances lie. Though you may invest in him independence as general over his own people, in the end, he fights solely for the crown.”
”I did not think I would be repeating myself so often in one day,” said the duchess with a sigh. ”I do understand your concerns, my dear Sunstar, but now is not the time to levy them. We must pursue unity.”
”Of course,” said Li. ”If I am to be an independent force, then, in a way, my services should have a cost attached to them, no?”
The duchess preemptively raised a hand to bid Sunstar from talking, and she nodded to Li. ”Of course. I would not wish any of my precious people to fall under the hideous effects of the rot. What is your proposition?”
”I provide the cure to the soldiers and common folk when I can. Your people benefit. In return, my people must benefit too. Give them leave of this lockdown. Let them return to their fields and the forest. Allow them to live in service of the divinity and livelihood they have chosen.
”I had thought, upon hearing of your might, to ask you to join the war camps. That is why I had the Sunforged bring you here when possible.” The duchess cocked her head and put a hand to her chin. ”I am not denying your request and yet, I must ask you to understand if we do not involve you as actively in our war-related strategics as if you were a general under the crown. Simply a matter of state secrecy and an understanding that we will be acting with the assumption that your aid is not guaranteed.”
”A wise assumption,” said Li. ”Do not view me as an enemy, but do not see my people as expendable tools and numbers to play with, either. Then, have we reached an agreement?”
”We have. Between you and me. But of course, as the law of the crown dictates, the lord of the city must give his consent.” The duchess looked to Lys with an even smile and an analyzing look reminiscent of a focused viper eyeing its prey. So lord Lys, what say you?”
Lord Lys looked to his left, to the duchess, then to his right, to Sunstar, and could only give out several shaky nods.